How do you get from a cell in Brixton police station to backstage at the Royal Albert Hall?
Answer: the Grit School.
Now in its sixth year, and with 90 young musicians proud to have completed its free seven-week introduction to the industry, the Grit School is looking for its next intake.
Aimed at aspiring creatives aged 16-24 from South London who are not in education, employment or training, the music industry and artist development programme is funded by the national charity Youth Music.
It gives insights into an ever-changing industry, building creative and business skills at the same time as connecting young people to a professional network, shaping the next generation in the world of music.
Paul, a 19 year-old drummer from Brixton is one of them.
School Ground Sounds (SGS), the Brixton-based charity that runs the Grit School, was introduced to Paul by Divert, a youth custody programme in Brixton police station.
He joined the 2019 Grit School course, where he developed his professional network and wowed the audience in the showcase that takes place after every school – usually at Pop Brixton, but online last year.
Paul’s story featured in a GQ magazine article by Ciaran Thapar.
After the course, Paul joined the SGS mentoring programme and was paired with Fabio De Oliveira, drummer for George Ezra and other major artists.
Paul was given the opportunity to shadow Fabio at the Royal Albert Hall and has since been nominated for a Youth Music Award and has joined the SGS house band – where he has accessed paid gigs.
Young musicians, artists and producers, and aspiring music industry professionals who want to follow in his footsteps need to be South London based, between 16 and 24, and not in education employment or training.
On the seven-week course they will be offered:
- Creative master classes
- Music industry seminars
- Free studio and rehearsal time
- A network of industry professionals and like-minded young people
- A chance to perform at the Grit School Live showcase.
The course runs from 7 June to 23 July at Brixton’s Raw Material and online.
Applications close on Friday 21 May.
Sign up online or refer a young person
Read more about the history and background of the Grit School in this 2016 Brixton Blog post
